Track circuit signaling system for absolute-permissive working



G. L. CAILLE 'TRACK CIBCUII SIGNALING SYSTEM FOR ABSOLUTE-PERMISSIVE WORKING Filed Nov. 2, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l m mm M L, w G

. H15 ATTQRNEY BYQ G. L. CAILLE Oct. 29. 1940.

TRACK CIRCUIT SIGNALING SYSTEM FOR ABSOLUTE-PERMISSIVE WORKING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 2, 1938 INVENT OR Georges Loam Cazlle 111s ATTORNEY Patented (Jet. 29, 1940 UNITED :Ei S

TENT OFFICE TRACK CIRCUIT SIGNALING SYSTEM FOR ABSOLUTE-PERMISSIVE WORKING of Pennsylvania Application November 2, 1938, Serial No. 238,481 In France February 18, 1938 11 Claims.

A number of railway signaling systems are known in which the presence of a vehicle or train is detected and indicated for assuring the safety and regularity of trafiic in the route passed by the vehicles or trains running on a railway track.

Of these systems one of the most efiicient is the one generally known as automatic block. It comprises essentially the subdivision of the railway track into a number of sections Which are electrically insulatedagainst each other and arranged to form track circuits each of which comprises a source of current connected across the rails at one end of the section and a track relay connected across the rails at the opposite end of the section. When a section is clear, its relay is energized; when a section is occupied or the track rails are otherwise electrically connected, the relay is deenergized. These energizations and deenergizations can be utilized for controlling wayside signals or track indicators, the former generally comprising visual devices, and the latter usually comprising visual or audible devices in a remote control station.

In automatic block systems the most restrictive indication corresponding in light signaling with day and night lights to one. or more red lights, may be interpreted as involving absolute stop, this being called absolute block. However, if it is desired to make traflic faster or for complying with particular working conditions, it may be advantageous to authorise the passing of a signal displaying the most restrictive indication under the condition of certain restrictions being observed, this being called the permissive block. It is always to be understood that, even in a permissive block system, those signals which protect track apparatus, the position of which is essential, such as the track switches, display an absolute stop indication when the switches, for example, are arranged in a wrong position. As the conditions do not always permit the provision of a normal automatic block system, the present invention has for its object to provide a safety system for railways, in which the entering and leaving of a predetermined number of vehicles or trains in a stretch of track of predetermined length is successively checked, and to apply thereto the rules adopted in permissive block systems.

This system is particularly advantageous for example for certain tunnels where the dampness, soot and fumes render very difiicult if not impossible the installation, maintenance and satisfactory operation of track circuits.

The system is also suitable for places where the insulation of the route is impracticable.

According to one feature of the invention the system enables a permissive automatic block to I be established on a track which is not electrically insulated by providing a short track circuit at each end of a stretch of predetermined length where for example a signal is provided, these circuits permitting the vehicles entering and leaving the stretch to be counted.

According to another feature the number of vehicles or trains which can be admitted to a predetermined length of track can be modified, the corresponding number of counting elements being Varied accordingly. I

Further features and advantages will appear as the following description proceeds, and-reference will be made by way of example but by no' means limitation, to the annexed two schemes which respectively illustrate two ways of carrying out the system according to the present invention.

Figure 1 shows that a section of railway track indicated at 2T, adapted for traffic in the direction shown by the arrow is provided at one end with a short entrance section IT and at the other end with a short exit section 3T, the track rails of each of these short sections are insulated from each other and from the rest of the track rails, and each of these sections is provided with a source of signaling current such as a battery IE or 3B, the section 2T being provided witha battery 23. The sections IT, 2T and ST are provided with corresponding track relays I'IR, 2TB and 3TB, each having a repeater relay, ITPR, ZTPR. and 3TPR, and the system also comprises slow acting relays E, EM and PA and a series of slow acting relays A, B, C N hereinafter referred to and connected as shown in the figure.

A signal S, which as here shown is of the color light type, having a green or proceed lamp G, a yellow or caution lamp Y, and a red or stop lamp R, but which may be of any other suitable type,

is controlled by relay ZTPR and by a line relay apparatus shown to the left of this line may be grouped together adjacent section IT. The other dotted line extending downward from the righthand end of section 2T as shown on the drawing is for the purpose of indicating that the parts of the apparatus shown to the right of this other dotted line may be grouped adjacent section 3T.

When the track sections IT, 2T and ST are not occupied by a train or vehicle, the relays ITR,

ZTR, 3TB, are energised. As a result the relays I'I'PR, through the circuit indicated, the counting relays A, B, C, N, which are of the transfer or overlapping contact type, being also energised while the relays E, IM and PA are deenergised. With relay 2TPR- energized, the green or the yellow lamp of signal S will be lighted according as relay LB is energized or deenergized, and relay LL will also be energized.

In the system according to the invention, variable delays in releasing the armatures of the counting relays are obtained by varying the voltage applied to the windings of the said relays.

If it is assumed that it is intended to admit to 2T the-maximum number of trains compatible with the number of counting elements, and to make these trains then leave so as to clear 2T, it will be seen that the arrival of the first train in section IT will cause the armatures of reiays ITR and ITPR to be released and relay E to be energised through positive pole, back contact ITPRd, winding of relay E, return, negative pole.

When this first train arrives in 2T from IT, relays 2TR and ZTPR are released, thereby opening the circuits for lamp G of signal S and for relay LL. The circuit for lighting lamp R of signal S is now closed through pole, back point of contact 2TPR2 of relay Z'IPR, lamp R and pole.

When IT is cleared, relay ITR is energized, then relay ITPR is energized through pole, front contact I TRI, front contact E2, front contact N4, Winding of relay ITPR and pole. In being energised, relay ITPR cuts off the energisation of relay E'through back contact iTPRd as well as the holding circuit of the counting relayA through its back contact ITPR2. The

' holding circuit of counting relay A passes through pole, resistance RF, back contact ITPR2, front contact AI (overlapping contact) of counting relay A, winding of this relay A and pole. Owing to the provision of the re- .sistance RF, the voltage in the holding circuit of counting relay A is inferior to the normal voltage, whereas the holding circuit of the counting relay B is under normal voltage through pole, front contact A2 of counting relay A, front contact BI of counting relay B, winding of this relay and pole.

Owing to its minor retardation, the counting relay A will drop prior to relay E, transferring the holding circuit of the counting relay B to the circuit of reduced voltage, which at that time is interrupted at contact E4, but E will drop well before the counting relay B which is likewise of the slow release type.

When dropped, E establishes thus the stick circuit of counting relay B through pole, resistance RF, front contact I'IPR2, back contact E4, back contact A2 of counting relay A, front contact BI of counting relay B, winding of this relay and pole. At the same time, the deenergisation of relay E cuts the energising circuit of relay ITPR, which relay however is maintained through pole, front contact ITRI,

ZTPR and 3TPR ,are also energised,

front contact ITPRI, winding of ITPR and pole.

It will be found that this arrangement provides the control of the energisation of relay E which effects the condition for resetting the energising circuit of relay ITPR after each passage of a train. I

When now the second train enters into the track section IT, the relays ITR and ITPR are deenergised and relay E is energised. When this second train leaves track section IT, relays ITR and ITPR are reenergised, the counting relay B and then relay E will drop and the holding circuit of counting relay C is established through back contact B2 of relay B, the energising voltage is thus reduced by the insertion of the resistance RF. This cycle of operations as described for the first train, is repeated for each train, up to the fourth in the illustrated example, successively deenergizing the four counting relays in the series shown. A fifth train will deenergize relays ITR. and I'IPR. The apparatus in the illustrated example is therefore arranged to admit five trains on a stretch of predetermined length.

When the fifth and last train clears the section IT, relay ITR is energised, but ITPR will remain deenergised owing to the fact that front contact N4 is cut, relay E remaining energised.

The energisation of the relay I TR simultaneously with the deenergisation of the relay ITPR represents the engagement of the last train in the so supervised stretch of track.

When the first train enters section 3T, the relays 3TR and STPR are deenergised, and relay PA is energised through: pole, back contact 3TPR2, back contact N2, winding of relay PA and pole.

When the first train leaves section 3T, relay 3TB is reenergised as well as relay 3TPR, the latter through: pole, front contact 3TR2, back contact N3, front contact PA5, back contact IM I, back contact ITPRS, winding of relay 3TPR, front contact 3TR3 and pole.

Relay 3'I'PR is held by its front contact tTPRI.

Contact 3TPR2 'cuts off the energisation of relay PA which, however, is sufficiently slow releasing to permitthe energisation of relay N through pole, front contact BTPRZ, front contact PA3, back contact NI, winding of relay N and pole.

Contact NI of the relay N being of the overlapping type, as are all the contacts I of the remaining counting relays of the series, does not effect undesired interruption during the transition from normal to reduced voltage. Once energised, relay N is held under reduced voltage through: pole, resistance RF, back contact ITPRZ, back contact C2, front contact NI, winding of relay N and pole.

Relay N then completes the energizing circuit of ITPR through pole front contact ITRI, front contact E2, front contact N4, winding of relay ITPR and pole.

The relay ITPR remains energised through its front contact ITPRI.

During the clearing of the section, i. e. whilst the relays 3TPR and PA remain energised, relay E is held through: pole, front contact 3TPR3, front contact PAI, front contact EI, winding of relay E and pole. The purpose of this circuit is to separate the operations of clearing from those of occupying which are effected after the deenergisation and the dropping of relay PA, i. e. at the end of the clearing.

After energization of I TPR the holding circuit of relay N passes through pole, resistance RF, front contact 3TPR4, front contact PAZ, back contact C2, front contact NI, winding of N- and pole.

1 Relay PA drops at the end of its delay period and interrupts the circuit of relay E and, by its front contact PAZ, the circuit of relay N. The relays N and E drop in succession. 4

The energisation of relay3TPR indicates that the first train has cleared the section. The arrival of the second train in section 3T will cause the deenergisation and dropping of 3TR and 3TPR and the energisation of relay PA as hereinbefore described. When the second train clears 3T, it effects the re-energisation of the relays 3TR, 3TPR and N and release of relay PA- as-already indicated. Relay N then remains energized by its retaining circuit passing from pole, through resistor RF, front contact ITPRZ, back contact E4, back contact C2, front contact NI, and Winding of relay N to pole. s

The arrival of the third train in section 3T will cause the deenergization of relays 3T and "3TPR as before. Relay I M then becomes energized'by a circuit passing from pole, through back contact 3TPR2, front contact N2, back contact C3, and winding of relay IM to pole. Relay 3TPR then becomes energized by a circuit passing from pole, through front contact '3TR2, front contact N3, back contact 04, back contact PA I, front contact IM4, front contact I TPR3, back contact E3, winding of relay 3TPR, and front contact 3TR3 to pole. Relay C then becomes energized by a circuit passing from pole, through front contact 3TPR2, front con tact IM3, back contact C I, and winding of relay Cto-pole. n .The fourth train, upon passing" through sec tion 3T, causes relay PA to again be energized, relay STPR to be reenergized and counting relay B to become energized.

When the last train arrives in section 3T,=tl '1e 45 relay IM is energised after the releasing cf '3TR and 3TPR through pole, back contact 3TPR2, front contact N2, front contact C3, front contact B3, winding of relay I M and pole. J I The last train clearing 3T causes energisation 50 of 3T, then of 3TPR, the latter relay'being' energised through: pole frontcontact of 3'I'R2, front contact N3, front contact -C4,' front'- contact B4, back contact PA L'front contact IM4, front contact ITRP3, back contact'E3, winding 55 of 3TPR, front contact 3TR3 and pole.

Once energised, the energised'r'elay 3TPR cuts off at its back contact 3TPR2 the relay IM which will only drop after a predetermined delay so as to permit the energisation of the counting 60 relay through pole, front contact 3TPR2, front contact IM3, front contact B5, backcon tact AI, winding of relay A and pole. The relay A enables relay ZTPR-to be energised through pole, front contact ITPR'4, 65 front contact ZTRI, front contact A3, winding of 2TPR and pole. With relay ZTPR energized, lamp G of signal S will be lighted, if relay LB is also energized, through pole, front point of contact ZTPRZ, front point -of contact 70 LBI, lamp G, and pole. If relay LB is de energized while relay ZTPR is energized, lamp Y of signal S will be lighted through pole, front point of contact 2TPR2 I back point of con-- tact LBI, lamp -Y, and f pole. I V r 75 In the case of two trains clearing simultaneously the track sections IT and ST, it isnecessary toprovide priorities under the following conditions:

-(a) When two 'disengagements occur at the same time priority is given to the occupation with respect to the clearing;

(b) Where a clearing operation is being effected when an occupation occurs, the clearing oper ation is arranged to be effected before the occupation.

If, for example, two trains have already engaged section 2T and one train is in section IT, and this latter train clears IT at the same time that the first train clears 3T, (that is to say if case a above is realized) the conditions of the relays at this moment will be as follows:

Relaysenergised: E, PA, C, N.

Relays dropped: ITR, ITPR, ZTR, ZTPR, 3TB, 3TPR, A, B,- IM. The relays ITR, 3TB, will become energised as well as ITPR which, through its back contact ITPR3, interrupts the energising circuit for 3TPR.

The relay ITPR when energised will cut off relay E at its back contact ITPR I. As relay E is of the slow releasing type, it will out off after a predetermined time the energisation of counting relay C which will likewise drop cutting off the supply circuit of relay PA and establish the energisation of relay IM through its back contact C3. Relay IM is energized, relay E drops as Well as relay PA.

The occupation having thus passed, the clearing will be able to take place when relay PA has dropped, it enables relay 3TPR to be energised and cut ofi the circuit of relay IM which is of the slow releasing type so as to permit the energisation of counting relay C, which energisation completes the clearing.

If, on the other hand, the first train vacates the track section 3T before the third train has left track section IT (i. e. under the conditions indicated under (b)) the initial positions of the relays will be as follows:

Relays energised: E, PA, C,'N.

Relays dropped: ITR, I TPR, ZTR, ZTPR, 3TR, 3TPR, A, B, IM.

The first train clears track section ST and thus causes the energisation of the relays STR and 3TPR the latter being held through its front contact 3TPRI, and cutting the circuit of relay PA which will drop after a predetermined time so as to effect the energisation of counting relay B,

At this moment, the third train vacating track section IT will cause energisation of relays l TR and ITPR, this latter cuts the normal energisation circuit of relay E which, however, remains held during the clearing through pole, front contact 3TPR3, front contact PAI, front contact El, winding E and pole.

Another circuit causes the holding of the counting relays during a clearing operation as the normal circuit is cut at back contact I TPR2 and at back contact E4, relay E being energised: this provisional holding circuit during a clearing operation passes through pole resistance RF,

front con-tact 3TPR4, front contact PA2, back contact B2, stick contact of counting relay 0, winding of relay C and pole.

The deenergisation and dropping of relay PA complete the clearing operation and permit in the given case the completion of the occupation. The release of relay PA effects cutting of the holding'circuits of relay E and of the counting relays. In the described case relay B will drop as Well as relay E thus completing the occupation.

In the above described constructional form illustrated in Figure 1, no particular precaution has been taken for the case of accidental dropping of relay 3TR or of the supply of relay STPR being out which may bring about an undesired clearing.

In the modified form of Fig. 2 the system according to Fig. 1 which has been described in detail hereinabove is supplemented by an arrangement as illustrated and described in French Patent No. 816,148 of April 11, 1936, in the name of Cie Generale de Signal-isation, which arrangement comprises the provision of a fourth section 4T associated with a track relay HR and a retarded relay EPS. The section 3T comprises a track relay 3? associated with a retarded relay 3S, and relay 3TPR of the arrangement of Fig, 1 is replaced by a relay STPPR.

Slow pick-up relay 38 is energised by its circuit including a front contact of relay 3P while section 3T is unoccupied. Relay 3TPR is nor-,

mally energized by a stick circuit passing from positive pole, through the front points of contacts 3S3 'andBTPRl, and the winding of relay STPR to negative pole. Relay EPS is normally energized by a circuit passing from positive pole, through the front points of contacts 3S3, 3TPRI and 4TR2, and the winding of relay EPS to negative pole.

When a train enters section 3T from section 2T, relay 3? becomes deenergized, and then the front contact of this relay opens the circuit shown for relay 3S, causing relay 3S to become deenergized. Contact 3Sl of relay 38 then closes a circuit path which causes relay 3P to be slow in picking up when the train leaves section 3T.

Also, when relay 38 becomes deenergized, contact 3S3 of this relay opens, at its front point, the stick circuit previously traced for relay 3T-PR,

and the circuit previously traced for relay EPS,

causing relays 3TPR and EPS to become deenergized. Contacts 3TPR2 and 3TPR3 then open the circuits for relay 3TP-PR, causing this relay to also become deenergized.

When the train enters section 4T from section 3T, slow releasing relay EPS becomes energized by a pick-up circuit passing from positive pole, through the back points of contacts 3S3 and MR2, and the winding of relay EPS to negative pole.

When the train clears section 3T, permitting relay 3? to again become energized, which in turn causes relay 38 to again become energized, relay EPS is retained energized by its stick circuit passing from positive pole, through the front point of contact 333, back point of contact STPRi, contact EPSI, and the winding of relay EPS to negative pole.

When the train clears section 4T, a pick-up circuit is completed for relay 3TPR, passing from positive pole, through the front point of contact 383, back point of contact 3TPRI, contact EPSI, front point of contact 4TR2, and the winding of relay S'IPR to negative pole. Contact 3TPRI is of the overlapping type, and hence the stick circuit previously traced for relay 3TPR will become closed before the pick-up circuit just traced becomes opened. Relay EPS is now retained energized by the circuit first traced for this relay through the front point of contact 4TR2.

Relay ETPPR shown in Fig. '2 is controlled by contacts of relay 3TPR similarly to the manner in which relay 3TPR shown inFig. 1 is controlled by contacts of relay 3TB.

From the foregoing description of operation of the apparatus shown in Fig.2, it follows that if relay- 3P becomes accidentally deenergized,. relays BTI'PR and '3TPPR cannot again become energized until after a train has entered the auxiliary section 4T from section 3T, and has then cleared section 4T. z

The operation'of this modified form ascertains the passing of the train through section 2T in the desired direction of motion for permitting the operation as described in the system.

Evidently the invention is by no means limited to the manners of carrying out as described and illustrated, and a great .numberof modifications and alterations may be provided without surpassing the spirit or scope of it.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim is: 1

1. In combination, a stretch of railway track divided into a first and a second and a third section, a stick relay for said first section, a stick circuit for said stick relay controlled by traflic conditions in said first section for retaining said stick relay in the picked up condition while said first section is unoccupied but which becomes opened by a train entering said first section, a

series of a predetermined number of normally energized counting relays, a pick-up circuit for said stick relay controlled by trafiic conditions in said first section and by the last counting relay in said series for energizing said stick relay if said first section is unoccupied and if said last counting relay is energized, means controlled by said stick relay upon becoming energized when each train of a predetermined number of trains corresponding to said predetermined number of counting relays moves out of said first section into said second section for deenergizing a corresponding one of said counting relays beginning with the first counting relay in said series, means controlled by the first train'of said predeter-.

mined number of trains for energizing said stick relay when said first train moves through said third section after all trains of said predeter- .mined number of trains and one additional train .a series of a predetermined number of normally energized counting relays, means controlled by traflic conditions in said first section and by the 1 last counting relay in said series for energizing said repeater relay if said first section is unoccupied and if said last counting relay is energized, means controlled by said repeater relayfor deenergizing each of said counting relays beginning with the first counting relay of the series when a corresponding train of a corresponding predetermined number of trains moves through said first section into said second section, means controlled by the first train of said predetermined number of trains for energizing said stick relay when said first train moves through said third section after all trains of said predetermined number of trains, and one additional train have moved through said first section, and means controlled by the succeeding trains of said'predetermined number of trains and by said one addi-.

tional train upon moving through said third section for again energizing said counting relays in reverse order beginning with said last counting relay.

3. In combination, a stretch of railway track divided into a first and a second and a third section, a repeater relay for said first section, means controlled by traffic conditions in said first section for retaining said repeater relay energized only while said first section is unoccupied, a' series of a predetermined number of normally energized counting relays, means controlled by trafiic conditions in said first section and by the last counting relay in said series for energizing said repeater relay if said first section is unoccupied and if said last counting relay is energized, means controlled by said repeater relay for deenergizing each of said counting relays beginning with the first counting relay of the series when a corresponding train of a corresponding predetermined number of trains moves through said first section into said second section, and means controlled by the trains of said predetermined number of trains upon moving through said third section after all the trains of said predetermined number of trains have moved through said first section into said second section for again energizing said counting relays in reverse order beginning with said last counting relay.

4. In combination, a stretch of railway track divided into a first and a second and a third section, a repeater relay for said first section, means controlled by traiiic conditions in said first section for retaining. said repeater relay energized onlywhile said first section is unoccupied, a series of a predetermined number of normally energized counting relays, a slow release relay controlled by a back contact of said repeater relay, means controlled by trafiic conditions in said first section and by said slow release relay and also by the last counting relay in said series for energizing said repeater relay if said first section is unoccupied and if front contacts of said slow release relay and of said last counting.

relay are. closed, means controlled by said repeater relay for deenergizing each of said counting relays beginning with the first counting relay f the serieswhen a corresponding train of av corresponding predetermined number of trains moves through said first section into said second section, and means controlled by the trains of said predetermined number of trains upon entering and moving through said third section after all the trains of said predetermined number of trains have moved through said first section for again energizing said counting relays in reverse order beginning with said last counting relay.

I 5.'In combination, a' stretch of railwaytrack divided into a first and a second anda third section, a repeater relay for said first section, means controlled by trafiic conditions in said first section for retaining said repeater relay energized only while said first section is unoccupied,

a series of a predetermined number of normallyenergized counting relays, means controlled by traffic conditions in said first section and by the last counting relay in said series for energizing said repeater relay if said first section is unoccupied and if said last counting relay is energized, means controlled by said repeater relay for de energizing each of said counting relays beginning with the first counting relay of the series when a corresponding train of a corresponding predetermined, numberof'trains'moves through said firstsection into said second section, a second normally energized-repeater relay for said third section, means controlled by each train upon entering said third section. for deenergizing said second repeater relay and for again'energizing said second repeater relay when each train leaves said third section, and means controlled by said second repeater relay for again energizing said counting relays in reverse order beginningwith saidlast counting relay when said predetermined number of trains moves through said third sec-- tion if the first train of said predetermined number of trains moves through said thirdsection after the lasttrain of said predetermined number of trains moves through said first section.

6. In combination, a stretch of railway'track divided into a first and a second a third section, a repeater relayfor said first section, means controlledby tratfic conditions in said first section for retaining said repeater relay energized only While said first section is unoccupied, a series of a predetermined number of normallyenergized counting relays, means controlled by traflic conditions in said first section and by the last counting relay in said series forenergizing said repeat-..

er relay if said first sectionis unoccupied and if said last countingrelay is energized, means controlled by said repeated relay for deenergizing each of said counting 'relays beginning with the first counting relay of the series when a cor-.

responding train of .a corresponding predetermined number of trains moves through said firsti section into said second section, a second normally energized repeater relay for-said third section, means controlled by each train upon entering said third section for deenergizing said sec- 0nd repeater relay and for again energizing said second repeater relay when each train leaves said third section, a pair of slow release relays,'means controlled by said second repeater relay and by saidv counting relays for energizing the first of said slow release relayswhen the first train of;

the predetermined number of trains moves through said third section and for energizing the second of said slow release relays whenithe second, train of the predetermined number of trainsmoves. through said third section and also for similarly: alternately energizing said slow release relays when succeeding trains of the predeterminednumber of trains move through said third section, and means controlled-bysaid sec'ond repeater relay and by said slow release relays for energizing said counting relays in reverse order beginning with the last counting relay when said predetermined number of, trains moves through said third section. v

7. In combination, a series of counting relays,

a normally energized repeater relay, means responsive to each of a plurality of given events for deenergizing said repeater relay, means for again energizing said repeater relay upon the. termination of each of said events, a slow 'release relay controlled by a back contact ofsaid repeater relay, a resistor, a circuit including said, resistor at times connected in series with a backcounting relay in said series',a second retaining circuit for said second counting relay including said resistor and a back contact of said first counting relay at times connected in series with a back contact of said repeater relay and at other times connected in series with a backcontact of said slow release relay, a second retaining circuit for each succeeding counting relay of said series similarly including said resistor and a back contact of the next preceding counting relay at times connected in series with a back contact of said repeater relay and at other times connected in series with a back contact of said slow release relay, means for successively deenergizing the retaining circuits including said resistor for said counting relays beginning with such circuit for said first counting relay, and means for again energizing said counting relays.

2 8. In-combination, a series of counting relays, a normally energized repeater relay, means responsive to each of a plurality of given events for deenergizing said repeater relay, means for again energizing said repeater relay upon the terminattion of each of said events, a slow release relay controlled by a. back contact of said repeater relay, a circuit for retaining the first relay of said series in the energized condition at times including a back contact of said repeater relay and at other times including a back contact of said slow release relay and including means for reducing the current in said retaining circuit and thereby reducing the time of release for said relay when said retaining circuit is opened, a retaining circuit for the second counting relay of said series including a front contact of said first counting relay, a retaining circuit for each succeeding counting relay of said series similarly including a front contact of the next preceding counting relay in said series, a second retaining circuit for said second counting relay, including a back contact of said first counting relay at times connected in series with a back contact of said repeater relay and at other times connected in series with a back contact of said slow release relay and including means for reducing the current in said second retaining circuit, a second retaining circuit for each succeeding counting relay of said series similarly including a back contact. of the next preceding counting relay at times connected in series with a back contact of said repeater relay and at other times connected in seriesv with a back contact of said slow release relay and also including means for reducing the current, means for successively deenergizing said retaining circuits having reduced current beginning with such circuit for said first counting relay, and means for again energizing said counting relays.

9'. In apparatus for counting a predetermined number of events, a series of normally energized counting relays including one less than said predetermined number of events, a normally energized repeater relay, means responsive to an initial portion of each of said events for deenergizing said repeater relay and for then again energizing said repeater relay if the last relay of said series of counting relays is energized, means controlled by said repeater relay for successively deenergizing said counting relays beginning with the first counting relay in said series of counting relays when said repeater relay becomes deener gized and again energized in response to the initial portion of a corresponding number of said events, means controlled by a final portion of the first event in said predetermined number of events for again energizing said repeater relay after said repeater relay has been deenergized by an initial portion of the last event in said predetermined. number of events, and means controlled by final portions of the events after the first event in said predetermined number of events for again energizing said counting relays in'reverse order beginning with the last counting relay in said series. I

,10. In apparatus for counting a predetermined number of objects moving into and out of a given space provided with an entrance portion and an exit portion, a series of counting relays including one less than said predetermined number of objects, a normally energized repeater relay, means responsive to each object of said predetermined number of objects upon arrival at said entrance portion for deenergizing said repeater relay, 25 means for again energizing said repeater relay when each of. said predetermined number of objects leaves said entrance portion if the last relay in said series of counting relays is energized, means responsive to said repeater relay for successively deenergizing said counting relays beginning with the first counting relay of said series when said repeater relay becomes successively energized in response to the same number of said objects leaving said entrance portion,.means responsive to the first object in said predetermined number of objects for effecting energization of said'repeater'relay when said first object passes said'exit portion after all of said predetermined number of objects have passed said entrance portion, and means responsive to the other objects of said predetermined number of objects upon following said first object past said exit portion foreffecting energization of said counting relays in reverse order beginning with said last counting relay. g 11. In apparatus for counting a predetermined number of events, a series of the same normally energized counting relays including the same number as said predetermined number of events, a normally energized repeater relay, means responsive to an initial portion of each of said events for deenergizing said repeater relay and for then effecting reenergization of said repeater relay if the last relay of said series of counting relays is energized, means controlled by said repeater relay for effecting deenergization of each of said counting relays beginning With'the first counting relay in said series of counting relays when said 'repeater relay becomes deenergized and again energized in response to the initial portions of said events, and means controlled by a final portion of each of theevents of said predetermined number of events for effecting reenergization of a corresponding counting relay be- 5 ginning with the last counting relay in said series.

' GEORGES LOUIS CAILLE. 

